William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, is a comedy about a brother and sister pair that are shipwrecked off the coast of Illyria and are separated. Viola, the sister, must assume the identity of a man, Cesario, to earn a living in the home of Duke Orsino, who is in love with the Lady Olivia. Orsino sends Cesario to Woo Oliva who is morning her brother’s death and in the process will fall in love with Cesario While Viola falls for the Duke. Meanwhile, Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian, unaware that Viola is still alive, arrives in Ilyria with a sea captain, Antonio, who is an outlawed man in Ilyria. Antonio lends his purse to Sebastian and parts.

What follows is accusations of purse stealing, several duels and a surprise wedding. Everything is finally made clear when Sebastian himself appears and the company sees the twins, side by side. Viola promises to assume her maiden attire to prove her identity as Sebastian’s sister. Orsino, remembering Viola’s many expressions of affection, is content to abandon his hopeless love for Olivia and marry Viola.

Strange Times

In these times of unpredictable status, even entertaining the idea of trying to put on a show, let alone Shakespeare, can be daunting. As Theatre artists, we are nothing if not flexible.

When we first start a show, there are design meetings, discussions, ideas are flowing and all are excited. When you begin a show during a pandemic, you still have design meetings in hopes that all will be realized. Then the speed bumps get thrown in and the show takes a turn in a different direction. As a result, there are more design meetings and all are still excited.

Our top priority with this production is our students. We want to give them a theatrical experience that will carry them into their future, regardless of where that may lead them. In these times of creating theatre during a pandemic, that experience comes with flexibility and creativity.

So here we are, producing Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, as a virtual production. Our story takes place during the 1920's, around the time of Epiphany Eve, when all is unexpected, things can take strange turns, and not all is at it seems, including love. Huh, "strange turns"...sounds a bit like this semester.

I welcome you to our virtual production of Twelfth Night. We don't have fancy sets and a big stage...or even the laughter of the audience, but we do have actors and designers who have worked together to tell a comical story of love and passion. So pull up your devices, pop some popcorn, and enjoy our show.

Thank you,

Deb Swerman

Director

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Located at Bethel University 1001 Bethel Circle, Mishawaka, IN 46545 • Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center • Kelly Auditorium •

Box Office Phone: 574-807-7080 • Box Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1p.m. - 5 p.m. 

Tuesday, and Thursday 3 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For campus COVID information visit https://www.BethelUniversity.edu/intheknow